Wood floors are often considered the most elegant choice in a home, providing a warm and inviting ambiance to a more formal home setting, while also providing the perfect flooring for casual or rustic settings. While the most costly choice, wood floors also tend to add the greatest value to a home. The wood strips are usually 1 ½ to 2 ¼ inches wide, wood planks are a bit wider, and parquet (wood squares placed in a geometric pattern) are also available.

Wood flooring can be purchased unfinished or factory finished. The most durable factory finish is aluminum oxide, which if properly cared for can last up to 25 years. A somewhat less durable finish, polyurethane, is applied on-site and the wood may need refinishing in approximately 10 years. A significant benefit of a factory finish is the avoidance of on-site dust (from sanding the wood) and fumes during the installation process. On the other hand, unfinished wood can be stained to compliment a specific décor.

For solid wood floors, the installation begins with a base of plywood, normally 3/4" thickness, which is nailed down to the existing subfloor or, in the case of a home built on a slab, to the actual cement. Note that houses built on a slab are the type that have no basement. Next a sheet of heavy plastic is stapled over the plywood; this serves as both a moisture barrier between the plywood and the actual wood floor and a "squeak" prevention measure. Next the actual wood planks, generally having a witdth between 1/2" and 3/4" (depending on the "look" you desire) are put in place over the plywood and plastic barrier.

The piecing together of the floor is generally tongue-and-groove, meaning that a "tongue" on one piece of wood is fitted to a "groove" on the adjacent piece of wood then tapped into place with a rubber hammer. When this is complete, the wood is nailed in place using a powerful nail gun.

The new wood floor is then sanded to a fairly smooth finish. Note that this process produces quite a lot of dust. Some flooring companies offer "dustless" sanding, which is accomplished using an industrial vacuum device. If the wood floor is to be the popular "hand-scraped" style, then the next step involves manual hand-scraping of the wood, which can be fairly heavy or light depending on the "look" that is desired. At this point, if the wood was not pre-stained, the desired color of stain is applied which, after sufficient drying time, is followed by several coats of polyurethane to protect the new wood floors from moisture and stains. This type of flooring is relatively easy to maintain, but must be protected from excessive moisture at all times.

Wood Floors Care and Maintenance

One of the advantages of wood floors is that they are relatively easy to maintain. One of the disadvantags of wood floors is that they are not the most durable and damage resistant choice. One must avoid dragging furniture across these wood surfaces. Pet claws can leave a significant pattern of scratches and dropping sharp or heavy objects can cause gouges or severe dents. Spills from food or household products must be addressed immediately to prevent surface damage or stains. Allowing dirt to accumulate on wood surfaces must be avoided. Before deciding on wood, you should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

Care is easily accomplished by dry sweeping (a swiffer mop is ideal), vacuuming and wet mopping with a well rung mop and plain water. Periodic use of a wood floor cleaner will keep the surface in excellent condition. It may be necessary to protect high-wear areas with a mat or throw rug. For example, placing protection in front of the kitchen sink is highly recommended. If proper maintenance steps are taken, these wood surfaces will provide literally decades of beauty and functionality to your home.

The Best Way To Buy Wood Flooring Online

If you are interested in shopping online for wood flooring, perhaps the most cost effective method is to buy natural wood floor material online and then hire a certified local installer to install the floor. Of course, if you have the experience and knowledge, you could also install the wood yourself. When searching online for the best deals, you might try using some of the following keyword search phrases: